Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.65/day
Percentage of population living below the lower-middle-income poverty line of $3.65 per day (2017 PPP).
Quick Reference
Unit
%
Category
Social Indicators
Metric Code
poverty_rate_3_65
How It's Calculated
Number of people living on less than $3.65 per day (2017 purchasing power parity) divided by total population, multiplied by 100. Based on household consumption or income surveys compiled by World Bank PovcalNet. Uses international poverty line representative of definitions adopted in lower-middle-income countries. Note: World Bank updated this threshold to $4.20 (2021 PPP) in June 2025, but historical data uses $3.65 benchmark.
Why It Matters
This poverty line captures vulnerability in lower-middle-income countries, representing populations above extreme poverty ($2.15/day) but still lacking economic security. It reflects inability to afford basic needs beyond survival - adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, and housing. As of 2022, 23% of the global population (1.8 billion people) lived below this threshold. Tracking this metric is essential for SDG Target 1.2 (reduce poverty in all its dimensions) and guides targeted social protection programs.
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 3% (poverty largely eliminated - high-income countries) Low: 3-10% (significant progress - upper-middle-income countries) Moderate: 10-25% (persistent poverty - lower-middle-income countries) High: 25-50% (widespread poverty - low-income countries) Very High: > 50% (extreme poverty crisis - fragile states) Global average: ~23% (2022, 1.8 billion people) SDG Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all dimensions by 2030 Note: Poverty rates are highly correlated with inequality - countries with similar GDP per capita can have vastly different poverty rates depending on income distribution.
Related Metrics
GDP per Capita
Gross Domestic Product divided by population, measuring average economic output per person.
Gini Index
Measure of income inequality where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 represents perfect inequality.
Prevalence of Undernourishment
Percentage of population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide dietary energy for a normal, active, healthy life.
Unemployment Rate
Percentage of labor force unemployed
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: ~150 countries (not all surveyed annually) Update frequency: Irregular (household surveys every 3-5 years) Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, PovcalNet Limitations: Survey quality varies by country - consumption vs income measurement differences, urban/rural sampling challenges. PPP conversion introduces uncertainty. Data lags mean recent economic shocks (COVID-19, inflation) not captured. Does not measure multidimensional poverty (health, education access). World Bank updated poverty lines in June 2025 to $3 (low-income), $4.20 (lower-middle-income), and $7.70 (upper-middle-income) using 2021 PPP, making historical comparisons challenging.